Page 39 - OHS, April/May 2025
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The Role of Safety Professionals
The Role of Safety Professionals
in a Tech-Enabled World of Work
in a Tech-Enabled World of Work
With rapid advancements in technology,
With rapid advancements in technology,
safety professionals must redefi ne their roles
safety professionals must redefi ne their roles
to stay relevant and eff ective. Th eir expertise
to stay relevant and eff ective. Th eir expertise
in risk management, human factors, and eth-
ical decision-making positions them well to:
Collaborate with technology team—
Safety professionals should be involved
early in technology procurement and de-
velopment, ensuring that safety is integrat-
ed as a core value in workplace innovation.
Apply ethical principles to workplace
technology—From data privacy concerns
in AI-driven monitoring systems to the
psychological impact of automation, safety
professionals can advocate for responsible
innovation that balances risk reduction
with worker wellbeing.
Articulate a clear vision for the fu-
ture of safety—By staying informed about
emerging trends and understanding work-
place challenges, safety professionals can
guide organizations toward meaningful
technological advancements.
Insights for Action:
Preparing for the Future
To successfully integrate technology into
workplace safety, safety professionals should
carve out some time in their strategic plans to:
Assess their role in technology adop-
tion—Review job descriptions and ensure
safety is included in discussions about
workplace technology.
Upskill in key areas—Gaining knowl-
edge in ethics, data literacy, and Industry 4.0
trends will help safety professionals evaluate
and implement new technologies eff ectively.
Evaluate organizational capacity for
change—Consider whether the workplace
culture, leadership, and workforce readi-
ness support the successful adoption of
new technology.
Partner with cross-functional teams—
Collaboration with IT, operations, and
frontline workers ensures that technology
solutions are practical, eff ective, and well-in-
tegrated into daily work. Take your tech team
out for coff ee—an easy way to get started.
A Vision for the Future: Safety
and Innovation Go Hand in Hand
As workplaces become increasingly con-
nected and automated, the role of safety pro-
fessionals must evolve beyond traditional
compliance and risk management. Th e goal
is not just to prevent incidents but to create
safer, healthier, and more human-centered
safer, healthier, and more human-centered
work environments—where humans fl our-
work environments—where humans fl our-
ish and where we truly embrace the concept
ish and where we truly embrace the concept
of humans + machines = better together.
of humans + machines = better together.
Technology, when implemented re-
Technology, when implemented re-
sponsibly, can be a powerful ally in achiev-
ing this goal. But to maximize its potential,
safety professionals must take an active role
in shaping its development and use.
By embracing responsible innovation,
advocating for ethical workplace technol-
ogy, and ensuring that new solutions truly
enhance work, safety professionals can lead
the way in creating a future where humans
the way in creating a future where humans
and technology thrive together.
and technology thrive together.
Cam Stevens is the lead safety innovation
Cam Stevens is the lead safety innovation
consultant at Pocketknife Group, a future-
consultant at Pocketknife Group, a future-
focused health and safety consultancy, and
manages safety and risk at the Australian
Automation & Robotics Precinct. A Linke-
dIn Top Voice in SafetyTech, Cam is globally
recognized for his expertise in workplace
technology, risk management, and digital
transformation, making him a trusted
leader in safety innovation.
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